Like the newest iPhone but can't make up your mind on carrier options? Or, do you plan to use if for travel?

Now you can buy it -- new -- and make up your mind later. Apple this week began selling the world's most popular smartphone unlocked -- meaning you can use it on any carrier that uses the GSM standard. Since the iPhone 5 hasn't been around long enough for anyone to be off contract, it's the first opportunity to bring an iPhone 5 to a new carrier that wasn't purchased by that carrier.

Choosing None of the Above

On Apple's Web site, after choosing black or white, consumers can now choose between plans from AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless or Sprint Nextel, or none of the above. The unlocked phone, however, won't work on Verizon Wireless or Sprint without being jailbroken, a practice on which Apple frowns.

The move benefits struggling fourth-place carrier T-Mobile, which has been trying to lure more iPhone users to its unlimited data plans, though it does not have a distribution agreement with Apple. In September, T-Mobile boasted that it already has more than a million iPhones on its network through its Bring Your Own Phone program and moved to lure more iPhone 4S customers with an unlimited data plan -- unavailable on Verizon and AT&T -- that it says is also cheaper than AT&T.

Of course, an unlocked phone comes with a higher price tag: $649 for the basic 16-gigabyte model, $749 for the 32 GB, or $849 for the 64 GB iPhone. The carrier-subsidized price, respectively, is $199, $299 or $399.

We asked some experts for their take on when it pays to splurge for the unlocked model.

"Only if they are going to change carriers in less than the two-year contract term, or if they want to buy it here and take it overseas because it's cheaper here," said Ken Dulaney of Gartner Research. "Specialized situations only."

Consumer devices expert Avi Greengart of Current Analysis noted that unlocked options are limited in the U.S.

"T-Mobile's plans are less expensive than AT&T," he said. "However it is extremely important to note that one key feature of the iPhone 5 -- LTE data speed-- is entirely network dependent; T-Mobile USA does not currently have LTE."

Good Military Option

Greengart said an unlocked iPhone is also cool for people who like to upgrade more often than biannually. "iPhones hold their value well and are easily resold," he said. "Also, people who move around a lot and don't want to be locked into contract terms that they won't fulfill -- for example, members of our military who might be deployed overseas."

Kirk Parsons of J.D. Power and Associates noted that once consumers sign up with a no-contract carrier, particularly if that carrier has a cheaper plan than rivals, the longer they keep that plan the better chance they will recoup their investment.

"Typically, the longer you are on a non-contract plan, the payout becomes more cost-effective versus a contract plan," he said. "However, at price points of over $600, an unsubsidized iPhone may be high for most customers to consider."

Tell Us What You Think

Comment:

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AppleJohn:

Posted: 2012-12-03 @ 7:03am PT

I don't know why more folk don't look at satellite phones. The instrument prices start at ~$150 and service starts at $50 - $60 a month.
They don't have ANY of the problems of cell phones, in particular, your coverage area is... Planet Earth!

Jodie:

Posted: 2012-11-30 @ 3:04pm PT

Iphones in Australia have always been unlocked at a high price $700 to $1000. This price doesnt include call and data cost, that is extra. So a 2 year plan (around $60-$80 a month) with a Telco is usually a better and cheaper option. But most of the Australian Telco's have the iphone available for sale, its not monopolised like the US

Chris:

Posted: 2012-11-30 @ 1:57pm PT

If you had that kind of money up front y would u need a no contracted phone so not worth it

Eric:

Posted: 2012-11-30 @ 1:18pm PT

Especially with the Nexus 4 selling for 299 and 349, it would be crazy to buy this for over 600.

John Smith:

Posted: 2012-11-30 @ 1:13pm PT

So basically...this article tells us how math works. If you pay up a large cost upfront, you can recooperate your costs over time by saving a little monthly. It was well written, but I just think this information is common sense...